Improvement in bottle-stoppers



A'rnNr ALBERT ALBERTSON,

IMPROVEMENT IN BOTTLE-STOPPERS.

'OF NEV YORK, N. Y'.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 36,266, dated August 26, 1862.

making a stopper which always remains in the bottle, and which readily permits the introduction of any fluid into the bottle, and at the same time effectually prevents any discharge of it, except when desired, and which `is particularly adapted to bottles containing soda-waters, wines, and all uids having a generating fixed air, as the greater the pressure from such cause the closer and tighter is the stopper.

Figure l'shows a bottle with the stopper in its natural position, closing the bottle. Fig. 2 shows the stopper pressed down, as when any fl-uid is to be poured out. Fig. 3 shows the form of the stopper.

The stopper consists of a small metallic or other standard, A, upon the lower end of which is fixed a button or disk, B, which is made of' such a size as just to pass through the smallest part of the neck of the bottle. Close above this button or disk is a smaller ring or disk, C, between which two disks is placed and held fast a piece of rubber, or felt, or leather, or cloth, D, or any yielding substance. part D should be somewhat larger than the disk B-say, generally, of a diameter about as large again. To the top of the standard Ais fixed a helical wire spring, E, which covers the standard A for some little distance, and which need only be stiff enough to hold up firmly the standard A and cause the rubber or other diaphragm D to t closely against the inside of the neck of the bottle.

Different methods may be devised for sup-A porting the spring E, of which two are shown in the drawings'.

Figs. l and 2 show the inside of the neck of the bottle made somewhat larger, or ground out as far as the bottom of the spring, or about the points a, so as to furnish a little ledge or Such shoulder sufficient to support the spring. This is the neatest arrangement, and one most likely to be made use of where new bottles are to be the top of the bottleneck and extend down within the neck as far as maybe necessary to have the spring Ereach. The bottoms of these pieces b Z) b are turned overor around the lowerA coil of the spring, and thus give it a sufficient support or bearing. i

The stopper is placed in the bottle by' siniply inserting it in the neck and pressing the spring E until the rubber or cloth part D has passed below the narrowest part or place of the neck. As the ring or disk (l is considerably smaller than the disk B, the flexible part D will fold up around C as the standard A is pressed down through the neck, and the stopper will vthus easily pass into the bottle; but when once the stopper has been so placed in the bottle, as the disk Bis just about the size of the opening in the neck, any effort ofthe spring E, or of any kind, to draw or push up the standard A presses the flexible disk D between the bottle and the button B, and effectually prevents its coming out, and the greater the pressure from within against the bottoni of the stopper the closer will the contact be ofthe parts B and D against the sides of the bottle.

When it is desired to open the bottle to discharge its contents, a bent instrument, such as is shown in Fig. 2, or any one fitted to ac `complish the same purpose-pressing down the stopper-may be made use of.

The diaphragm D may be made of a variety of substances, and may be made of `different forms and 'still act upon the same principle or law of action. in the form of a cork,l and may be of cork as large as can be driven through the neck of the bottle, and still be held in its proper position by means of the spring E.

I am aware that an internal flap valve or Such part can, if desired, be

door acted upon by a sprngdioat or counten weight has been used to close the orifice of vessels, as an ink-helder or oil-vessel, to keep outrdust, 81e., but intended to give Way on a very slight pressuree Such arrangement, howover, could not makea stopper which would be air-tight or which would keep or protect from evaporation, &c., any luids that inight be put n any such Vessel. I do not therefore claim, generally, closing a bottle or vessel by an internal valve, and Whether such valve closes the bottle tight or not; but

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The application and use of 'a self-,closing` stopper for bottles, 85o., constructed and operating` substantially as described, so as to produce a perfeetly-tight stopper, and Which will preserve any liquid or substance from evaporation or injury. l

. ALBERT ALBERTSON.

Witnesses:

S. D. LAW, HOWARD BIRD. 

